River Cottage Australia

Episode 1SBSJuly 3, 2017

Can an idea grow anywhere? Join Paul West in his inspirational quest to create his own River Cottage in idyllic Tilba. With mentor Hugh, he plants the seed for a simple and sustainable life, connecting food, farm and the local community.

Back on the farm, Paul's busy building a pigpen, before taking delivery of a small herd that will hopefully one day feed him. He prepares a pork dish using one of the tastiest and most under-used parts of the animal before heading off to the local harvest festival bake-off. With the help of a country cooking champion, Paul enters his pumpkin scones into the hard-fought contest. But will his entries rise to the occasion?

Paul has enlisted the help of the local mobile butcher and slaughterman to process Big Boy the pig right on the farm. Paul creates a delicious fresh blood pudding, and sizzles up some liver to ensure no part will go to waste. Elsewhere on the farm, Paul looks to plant Australian natives in the gully to help with biodiversity, not only at River Cottage, but for the wider area. Later, Paul asks a few friends over to help with butchering, and leaves them with a bounty of delicious pork to thank them.

Tough times for Paul when he asks home butcher and friend Matt to help him slaughter his first goat. Paul needs to get Bessie wormed and vaccinated, so it's a trip to the neighbour's stockyard where the job can be done safely and easily.

Still in the Riverina, Paul visits a wheat-farming mate who has changed the future of his town with beer. At the Wagga Wagga farmers markets, Paul uses produce he's gathered to create an afternoon tea that delights the shoppers.

As a way of celebrating the talent, artists and producers in the area, Paul hosts a huge field day on the farm. Paul proves he's not afraid to strip down for fashion before wowing the crowd with a special tribute to Tilba.